Unit 2

What is a Philosophy? A philosophy is a person’s view of life and how it operates. A philosophy helps a person to answer questions like… –What do I do? –How do I think about things?

Philosophy & Religion Some philosophies are tied into religion. Other philosophies don’t involve God. Still other philosophies are based on the belief that there is no God.

Philosophy & Morality Morality and Ethics are branches of Philosophy Some Moral and Ethical ways of thinking are influenced by Religion and some are not.

How they all tie together: Goal: To be able to see the world from the most objectively true viewpoint & to make decisions from the most objectively moral position. Think of these as places or positions. Objective Reality Subjective Reality

How they all tie together: (cont.) Life Philosophy is like a map for how to get to the most objective position. The problem is there are lots of maps out there, and Some are more useful than others.

How they all tie together: (cont.) Conscience is the compass. Forming conscience… Upgrading from needle and magnet to a Garmin

How they all tie together: (cont.) Moral Decision Making is how we make the journey.

Principles A Principle is a fundamental rule, law or code of conduct. Principles grow out of our philosophy

Catholic Christian Principles 1.We must form our consciences. FORMATION 2. We must grow in Virtue. A virtue is a habit or norm which directs us toward good. (A vice is the opposite of a virtue.)

Catholic Christian Principles (cont.) (2. continued) - There are Cardinal Virtues and Theological Virtues. -The Cardinal Virtues are developed by making good decisions. We can practice them and strengthen them.

Catholic Christian Principles (cont.) (2. continued) - The 4 Cardinal Virtues are a. Prudence b. Justice c. Fortitude d. Temperance

Catholic Christian Principles (cont.) (2. continued) Prudence uses reason to find the right decision and acts with care. Justice respects the rights of others, promotes equality and seeks the common good. Fortitude (Courage) resists temptation and conquers fear. Temperance practices moderation, masters passion and desires and uses self-restraint.

Catholic Christian Principles (cont.) 2. (Still…) The Theological Virtues are granted by God and help one to be more directed to Godly actions. -The three Theological Virtues are a. Faith b. Hope c. Love

Catholic Christian Principles (cont.) 2. (cont.) Faith: We believe in God and God’s teaching. We trust God’s will for us. Hope: We look for God’s Reign. Hope inspires us and gives us a positive vision. Love: We love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves.

Catholic Christian Principles (cont.) 2. (wrapping it up now) Love is the greatest of the Virtues. It keeps all the other virtues in balance. (Wisdom, justice, courage, wholeness, honesty, respect for persons, compassion, respect for creation, reverence for human life, peacemaking, humility, loyalty)

Catholic Christian Principles (cont.) We live by the Beatitudes. See Matthew 5:1-12 and Luke 6:20-36 See The Principles of Catholic Social Teaching from Unit 1.

Freedom Is the ability to choose. Anything that hampers one’s ability to choose, limits one’s freedom. Things that support one’s ability to make choices increase one’s freedom. Why do we sometimes choose to limit our freedom? What freedoms should never be limited?

Authority of Conscience We are to continue to form and follow our conscience. Both a right and a responsibility No one should be forced to act against his/her conscience, especially in religious matters. Why do we have to say this?

Sin Sin is an unloving action, belief, or way of living that harms your relationship with God, others and your self. -you know it’s wrong -you could choose something else -you freely choose the sin anyway

Degrees of sin How serious is the sin? -Mortal Sin: Grave violation of God’s law -Venial Sin: Weakens, but does not break the bonds of love

Types of Sin Who does the sin involve? -Personal Sin: wrongful actions committed by an individual or group -Social Sin: Negative belief systems that motivate personal and institutional sin -Institutional Sin: Laws or norms that legalize or institutionalize social sin.